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Virginia

This next bucket list stop needs no introduction. Walking distance from literally everything, it’s not surprising that this landmark ended up on my list. Grandma’s Saloon and Grill, or Grandma’s, as its more commonly referred to, has been around since 1976 and now has three locations; Canal Park, Miller Hill (in Duluth, too) and Virginia (it’s a town on the Iron Range). We went to the original, the nonpareil, the one that started it all – off Canal Park, right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge. Known for their Wild Rice, Italian favorites, greasy-spoon-but-not-really bar food and Bloody Mary’s (done the Minnesota way, with pickled herring and a venison jerky stick), they also have a gift shop, right in the restaurant. Also, it would be weird not to mention all the crazy memorabilia, antiques, old marquees and vintage signs all over the walls and ceiling. Remember when I posted about Serums in Anoka? Yea, exactly like that. Fun facts: The owners actually have three other restaurants you may recognize in Duluth, Bellisio’s, Little Angie’s and The Great American Grill. AND Grandma’s Restaurant is the main sponsor of Grandma’s Marathon.

(from wiki) The Mesabi Trail is a 132-mile paved bicycle trail running from Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Ely, Minnesota. As of 2008, the trail is still under construction with approximately 97 miles of trail complete. The trail goes through the many small towns along it, such as Marble, Keewatin, Hibbing, Mountain Iron, Virginia, and Gilbert. Much of the trail runs along abandoned railroad grade.